Prime Minister of Singapore, Mr. Lawrence Wong (centre), Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister of Foreign Affairs, 
Singapore (fourth from right), Amb. Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, OON, Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs of Nigeria (3rd from right), 
among some other foreign Ministers and Ministers of State from Africa South of the Sahara, at SAMEV 2025, in Singapore.  

From ministerial dialogues to leadership exchanges, both nations continue to deepen ties, building on shared values and complementary strengths.

OVERVIEW, September 2025 – Nigeria and Singapore share a steadily evolving partnership rooted in economic cooperation, cultural understanding and shared values. Both nations are active Members of the United Nations, the Commonwealth and other multilateral organisations. Nigeria, as one of Africa’s largest economies and Singapore, a global hub for trade and finance, bring complementary strengths to this partnership. Major highlights of the partnership in 2025 included the following:

The Fifth Singapore-Africa Ministerial Exchange Visit (SAMEV) 26–28 August 2025

The Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs of Nigeria, Amb. Yusuf Maitama Tuggar (OON) attended the Fifth Singapore-Africa Ministerial Exchange Visit (SAMEV) 2025, a biennial engagement aimed at strengthening cooperation and the exchange of development experiences between Africa and Singapore.

Bilateral Meeting between Amb. Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, OON, Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs of Nigeria, 
with Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Singapore, at SAMEV 2025.

Nigeria’s participation at the Africa-Singapore Business Forum (ASBF) 26–28 August 2025 

The Opening Session of the ASBF 2025 was attended by Amb. Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, OON, Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs of Nigeria, as well as some captains of industry from Nigeria. The ASBF, which took place simultaneously with SAMEV, provided the platform for public and private sector collaboration. A major outcome of the event was the entry into force of the Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (IPPA) between Nigeria and Singapore on 22nd August 2025.

Amb. Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, OON, Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs of Nigeria, (second from left) 
at the Africa Singapore Business Forum. 

Notable Nigerian speakers at the event included Mr. Samaila Zubairu, Mrs Damilola Ogunbiyi and Mr. Gbenga Oyebode.  

The Global Aviation and Maritime Symposium 13–14 July 2025

The Global Aviation and Maritime Symposium, which was held in Singapore from 13–14 July 2025, was organised by the Ministry of Transport in collaboration with the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) and the Maritime and Ports Authority (MPA) of Singapore.

The conference brought together global industry leaders in the Aviation and Maritime sectors. The Nigerian Delegation was led by His Excellency Festus Keyamo, SAN, Hon. Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development. Also in attendance was Mr. Bola Oyebamiji, Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways of Nigeria, who represented the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, His Excellency Adegboyega Oyetola.

Education and Human Capital Development

Education and skills exchanges form another vital area of cooperation between Nigeria and Singapore. Singapore’s emphasis on innovation and discipline resonates with Nigeria’s vision of equipping its youth for global competitiveness.

Amb. Francisca Kemi Omayuli Chargé d’Affaires En Titre, High Commission of Nigeria in Singapore, (centre) and to her right is 
Prof. Francesco Mancini, Vice Dean (Executive Education), Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, with the Fellows of the Lateef Jakande 
Leadership Academy (LJLA) at Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy. 

The Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy (LJLA) 6–11 June 2025

Fellows of the Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy (LJLA), led by the Executive Secretary, Mrs. Ayisat Agbaje-Okunade, completed a leadership immersion programme at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, Singapore. They studied Singapore’s core strategies in governance, economic diversification, public service, and human capital development.

Dr Mathew Mathews, Head of Social Lab & Principal Research Fellow at the Institute of Policy Studies, National University of 
Singapore (NUS) (Centre) with Fellows from the Lateef Jakande Leadership Academy (Date) in partnership with the Lee Kuan Yew 
School of Public Policy. 

The Nigerian Federal Civil Service Commission visit to Singapore, 21–25 January 2025 

In January 2025, the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, mni, OON, led a delegation of the Nigerian Civil Service on a study visit to Singapore in January 2025. 

The Nigeria-Singapore partnership is defined by shared aspirations and complementary strengths, from trade and education to culture and innovation; both countries are building bridges that advance not only bilateral prosperity but also their contribution to global peace and stability. 

Reflecting on the growing partnership, Ambassador Francisca K. Omayuli, Chargé d’Affaires En Titre of the Nigerian High Commission in Singapore, remarked, “I have the honour to extend Nigeria’s warmest congratulations to the Government and people of Singapore on the occasion of Singapore’s 60th Anniversary. Singapore’s nation-building journey and continued progress since independence stand as an inspiring example of visionary leadership, a resilient private sector, and a united people. Let me seize this opportunity to reiterate Nigeria’s commitment to the continued well-being of its bilateral relations with Singapore.”